BREAKING: Senate GOP Blocks Pay Equity Bill
Today, Republicans in the Senate blocked the Paycheck Fairness Act by filibustering the bill. The legislation would have strengthened protections for women who are being paid less because of their gender by creating larger penalties for employers who discriminate, creating more transparency of salaries so that women know whether they are being paid less, and protecting those who sue for pay equity.
Republicans framed the measure as a useless bureaucratic roadblock that would have hindered free enterprise and helped trial lawyers. Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) called the bill a war on free enterprise. But Hellers record on womens issues is far from stellar: He previously voted against Paycheck Fairness when he was in the House of Representatives and also voted against the Lily Ledbetter Fair pay act, another pay equity bill.
Pay discrimination isnt some fantasy of the left it actually prevents families from higher earnings. On average, women make 77 cents to a mans dollar. And thats happening while more women are becoming the primary breadwinners or dual-earners in their family and a larger number of women with high degrees entering the job market.
Over her lifetime, the average woman loses enough in wages to feed a family of four for 37 years.
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2012/06/05/495106/senate-blocks-paycheck-fairness/
Send these GOP asses packing in November!